Afghanistan-American translator arrested for alleged slayings

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 7 (UPI) -- Afghan officials said Sunday they detained Zakaria Kandahari, a translator accused of killing civilians while working for an American Special Forces unit.

Maj. Gen. Manan Farahi, head of intelligence for the Afghan Defense Ministry, said Kandahari, an Afghan-American, was in the custody of the National Directorate of Security and was being questioned about his role in the disappearances and deaths of up to 17 people.

Afghan investigators said they had a videotape showing Kandahari torturing Sayid Mohammad, a civilian, and believe they have evidence to prove he was involved in the disappearances of other civilians.

Investigators found the bodies of 10 people near the American Special Forces A Team base in the Nerkh District of Wardak Province after the Americans left in April, The New York Times reported.

An American official said in May the Special Forces team was not responsible for the disappearances and deaths.

"We have done three investigations down there, and all absolve [International Security Assistance Force] forces and Special Forces of all wrongdoing," the official, whose name and affiliation were not reported. "It is simply not true."

Farahi said the abuses continued even after Kandahari fled the base in January when Afghan President Hamid Karzai demanded his arrest.

"Everybody knows and you should know that Zakaria Kandahari and these people with him were there with the Americans and were working for the Americans," Farahi said. "Whether they killed people on their own or were directed by the Americans to kill people, it needs extensive investigation. Now that Mr. Kandahari is in custody most of these things will become clear."

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today’s UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.

A Spanish version of the site reaches millions of readers in Latin America and beyond.

UPI was founded in 1907 by E.W. Scripps as the United Press (UP). It became known as UPI when after a merger with the International News Service in 1958, which was founded in 1909 by William Randolph Hearst. Today, UPI is owned by News World Communications.